Chess Puzzle #0ceJw — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Rating 722 · Beginner · back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short.

Position

White: king h2; queen a1; knight f3; pawns g2/h3. Black: king g8; bishop e6; knights f4/f5; pawns b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

  1. Opponent setup: Nd5 — knight f4→d5. Now White to move.
  2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a1→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Bc8 (bishop e6→c8).
  3. Best move: Qxc8# — queen a8→c8, captures bishop, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

back rank mate, endgame, mate, mate in 2, short. The combination ends with Qxc8# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1pp2ppp/4b3/5n2/5n2/5N1P/6PK/Q7 b - - 0 28

Solve this puzzle interactively on Brilliant Knight — free tactics training powered by Stockfish 18, no signup required.

Puzzle data from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Analysis powered by Stockfish 18 in your browser.